Ensuring clean air and space for people during lockdown

Leonie Cooper: The reduction in traffic has led to a reduction of 27% in NO2 in central London, in addition to the 35% reduction since 2017 as a result of the ULEZ and other measures to clean up our air. As we gradually leave lockdown and start to get London back on its feet, could you tell us more about how you are planning to maintain the gains we’ve made in cleaning up London’s air?

Sadiq Khan: Thank you. Before the COVID-19 crisis, our air quality programme, including the introduction of the ULEZ, had already contributed to a reduction of 44% in roadside nitrogen dioxide in central London, between February 2017 and January 2020 - a 44% reduction. As we move from the COVID response to recovery, our challenge will be to ensure we do not lose the gains we have made and we continue our aim to eradicate air pollution permanently, as well as tackle the climate emergency.
Last week, with WillNorman [Walking and Cycling Commissioner] and HeidiAlexander [Deputy Mayor for Transport], I launched my London Streetspace programme which, working with London boroughs, aims to fast-track the transformation of streets across our city and avoid a car-based recovery. Wider footpaths, pedestrianisation of streets and the relocation of road space for cycle-ways are necessary to make it as easy as possible for social distancing. The Streetspace programme is a good first step, but I will also need the support of the UK Government to continue to clean up our air. With emerging evidence that air pollution can increase vulnerability to the most severe impacts of COVID-19, the WHO recommended limits must now be enshrined in law. As part of this here in London, I want to expand school streets to enable more children to walk or cycle to school. I am keen to see an accelerated removal of the most polluting vehicles from our road through the scrappage schemes and the ULEZ expansion.

Léonie Cooper: Thank you for that, MrMayor. I think obviously you were ahead of COVID, because if you look at the figures for the reduction in pollutants in London’s air from 8April 2019, when the ULEZ launched in the centre of London last year, up until 23March 2020, when we locked down, the improvement was 35% and it has been a further 23% since then.
We all get this point made very regularly to us as Assembly Members: not everyone can cycle, not everyone can walk. Your Transport Strategy has always said that 20% of journeys may be made by use of other vehicles, but what we really need - and I hope you would agree with me on this - is real support now from the Government in terms of getting everybody to move away from petrol and diesel vehicles. Instead of talking about phasing out their sale by 2035, should that not be brought forward and should we not be moving for that minority of journeys that have to be made on a motorised basis, not on foot, by bicycle or indeed on public transport? Do we not need that change to come in earlier?

Sadiq Khan: Absolutely. You will be aware that I am in favour of that transition, phasing out of sales by 2030. The Government is talking about 2040, maybe 2035. That is still too far away. Actually, as I said, this virus is awful, it really is awful, but there are some silver linings and this may be one of them. Our job is to lobby the Government to play its part in this important task.

Léonie Cooper: Absolutely. We know that you have been going in to bat on that for us and also leading the way. We have already talked about Streetspace and I think a number of us are very excited by that. Again, one of the things that would enhance the street space and help some of those people who perhaps cannot ride a bicycle, we do want to see an increase in cycling, but what about grants for e-bikes, which make cycling so much more accessible for older Londoners and Londoners who just do not have the puff to do that? Some London boroughs already offer loans and grants for bikes. Can you work with them to extend that, maybe via TfL, but also to press the Government to support this?

Sadiq Khan: Yes. We persuaded the Government - not me, but others as well - with the advent of the first grants for electric vehicles. Similarly, bearing in mind how expensive some of the e-bikes are, but they are brilliant, they can be transformative to somebody. It just gives that bit of assistance that they need. The technology is moving so fast now and they are very easy, they are very adaptable, so congratulations to those boroughs that are currently giving the grants for the e-bikes. I am more than happy and I will get Heidi[Alexander, Deputy Mayor for Transport] and Will[Norman, Walking and Cycling Commissioner] to speak to you about what we can do, putting our heads together, in relation to lobbying the Government for some more assistance in relation to grants for e-bikes.

Léonie Cooper: That would be really welcome, MrMayor. You have talked about the boroughs just there on e-bikes but also in relation to Streetspace, and it has been quite a frustration for me and a number of other Assembly Members. In my constituency, Merton, they have come forward with a very exciting plan. They brought it forward very quickly: they are doing emergency traffic orders, making that space for the social distancing and extra space for cycling. Unfortunately, Wandsworth has been dragged kicking and screaming and finally released something on Friday. What more can we do to get those boroughs who are not coming forward quickly enough to aid cycling, to help people actively travel, to keep those social distances as we come out of lockdown?

Sadiq Khan: I think the public is ahead of politicians. I think the public get it and we have to use people power. I say that as a Tooting boy, the significance of people power. All of us are adept at persuading members of the public to change their views or persuade them to subscribe to our points of view. We have to use this awful virus as an opportunity to persuade people that this is the right thing to do and for them to put pressure on their councils. That people power, it will motivate councils to do the right thing if they do not do it altruistically and for the reason that we know it is important to do so. They do not want to be one of the councils left behind. I am really disappointed that the likes of Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea still do not get it. I did not realise Wandsworth was also part of that cabal, but we need to make sure‑‑

Léonie Cooper: Sadly, yes.

Sadiq Khan: ‑‑ because they are in charge of 95% of our roads, that they join the club. That club is a progressive, green, sustainable, forward-looking club.

Léonie Cooper: MrMayor, you mentioned green and you have done a lot of work on urban greening, which has been helping Londoners to access green space during this lockdown, and I think it has become so valuable. What other options are there for providing local green space, such as creating pocket parks and opening up some of the private squares in London? Is there anything more that we can do to make those spaces available? Lots of people mention golf courses. I am not sure how easy it is to persuade golf courses to open, but we do have a lot of space; we have a lot of private sports clubs with grounds. What more can we do to get those open? Is it just that coalition of the willing and getting the public to put that pressure on?

Sadiq Khan: The Greener City Fund is delivering a number of green projects and the Streetspace programme will help, but I think there is change out there. The altruism of some sports clubs and golf courses who have opened their doors over the last few weeks has been really refreshing and there is no reason why that cannot carry forward.
I am particularly concerned about those people who, for understandable reasons, do not have private amenity space and who need access to public amenity space. One of the reasons why I have been so keen to have the charter around public realm is those pieces of land that are now in private hands, for them to understand the responsibility they have to the public to make them accessible to the rest of us, particularly those without access to private amenity space. Again, we are doing exciting stuff with the charter we have talked about in relation to public squares and public realm, but any other ideas you have we are more than happy to listen to.
One of the things that we did was to make sure, for example, when it comes to tall buildings and viewing galleries, that they are open to the public, so those amenity spaces are open to all of us and walkways by the river and the like. We have to make sure we use planning, that we use the tools we have to maximise the amount of public amenity space we can.

Léonie Cooper: Thank you, MrMayor. I suspect this may be the end of my question and possibly the last question of today, so I also would like to wish Eid Mubarak to you and to the family. Thank you very much for answering my questions. Thank you, Chair.

Sadiq Khan: Thank you. Stay safe.

Safeguarding vulnerable children

Jennette Arnold: You will be aware of the worrying statistics showing just 10% of vulnerable children are attending schools during lockdown. How can you bring together local authorities, social services and schools with the Met Police to keep all vulnerable children safe?

Sadiq Khan: Thank you, Chair. It is incredibly concerning that low numbers of vulnerable children are attending school. They have early signs of a positive shift, as boroughs are beginning to see more children in school every day. The national figures from 14May showed 14% of vulnerable children attended, an increase from under 5% in March. Although I do not have statutory responsibility for school-aged children, I want to reassure the Assembly that my Deputy Mayor for Education and Childcare [Joanne McCartney AM] is in regular contact with Directors of Children’s Services through the Association of London Directors of Children’s Services. London’s local authorities are working closely with schools and the local borough commands. For example, I know Islington is following up daily on the attendance at school or nursery, with over 80 children identified being at the highest risk and who will be safer in school.
The executive of the London Safeguarding Children’s Partnership met recently to co-ordinate resilience and multi-agency work during and after lockdown. This body brings together representatives from the Association of London Directors of Children’s Services, London Councils, the MPS, MOPAC and NHS England. The Director of my VRU, LibPeck, attends the National Safeguarding and Young People’s Board and the VRU is working with their partners to ensure that vulnerable young people and families get the support they need. Partners are preparing for a rise in child protection referrals and demand for MPS officer support once students do return to school, so the Government must provide sufficient resources to meet this demand.

Jennette Arnold: Good morning, MrMayor and thank you for that response to my question. Can I just start by saying Ramadan Mubarak to you and your family and to all at this time of Ramadan? I totally understand what you said, but can I just say to you, you may not have the responsibility, but the GLA gives you a duty to be mindful of the needs of all Londoners, so that is why I am bringing this to you. Our vulnerable children deserve as much of your time as anybody else, if I can be so bold to say that. What we do know is that it is startling and what we also know is that during this time of the coronavirus, the gap is widening within our city between those who live the good life and those especially vulnerable young children whose lives are blighted by their exposure to the ‘toxic trio’. If people do not know what they are, they should look them up. Everything is highlighted and has become more critical for them.
I did a virtual visit to one of my great charities this week and heard from Saira Mir, the founder of the interfaith charity - I think you have met her - Plate for You. She just brought it home to me that if it were not for charities like hers, thousands of vulnerable children would not be fed each day; the cupboards in their homes are bare. I am sure you will agree with me that that is shameful, that that is a reality in our city, the fifth richest city in the world and that you have to do everything that you can to work nationally and locally so that all policies that are made are mindful of this. That then requires every policy to undertake an equality impact assessment, because if the policies are made on this basis then the needs of these young people and those others who are disadvantaged within our city would be at the foremost of the cases that are being put. Would you agree with me?

Sadiq Khan: Absolutely, Chair. I am not sure there is a word that the Assembly Member has said that I would not agree with there, including being aware of the fact that even though I may not have statutory responsibilities, I have a moral responsibility, but also as the leader of the city to look to the future and particularly providing the helping hand for the most vulnerable. That is how you judge a society, how you help the most vulnerable. As I say, it was a point well made.
Just to reassure you, I have this week written to the Secretary of State for Education [The Rt Hon Gavin Williamson CBE MP] imploring him to ensure that those children who receive free school meals and vouchers continue to do so during the half-term coming up and also the summer holidays. We were successful in lobbying him for the Easter holidays and I am hopeful we can lobby him for the half-term and summer holidays too. You mentioned food poverty that many of our children experience, I am afraid.

Jennette Arnold: Thank you very much and keep up the good work.

Sadiq Khan: Thank you.

TfL Finances

Tony Devenish: Given the ongoing impact of lockdown, will you please update the Assembly on TfL's finances including Crossrail and can you confirm there has been no further slippage on Crossrail's most recent projected opening date of Summer 2021?

Sadiq Khan: Thank you for the question. Last week at the eleventh hour and after seven weeks of discussions, the Government finally agreed a funding package to allow TfL to run public transport safely in London for the next four and a half months.
I want to be honest and upfront with Londoners: this is not a good deal for London but it was the only deal the Government would agree to, and I had no choice but to accept it to keep the Tube and buses running.
We had to seek Government help, as every other transport provider in the UK has already done, because COVID-19 has had a catastrophic impact on TfL’s finances. We rely heavily on passenger fares to pay for the services we run. Fares income has fallen by 90% in the last two months because Londoners have done the right thing and stayed at home. TfL has put 7,000 staff on the Government’s furlough scheme, a quarter of its workforce and is topping up‑‑

Tony Devenish: Sorry, MrMayor. Could I stop you there? I am running out of time and I would like to‑‑

Sadiq Khan: Sure.

Tony Devenish: You are saying what you have said before, with respect. I have two points.
Firstly, a fact check from this morning, please, MrMayor. On Good Morning Britain (GMB), the television (TV) show, you confirmed that it was you and not the Government that made you do the Congestion Charge. You told the Assembly it was the Government and you told breakfast TV that it was you. Which is it, MrMayor?

Sadiq Khan: I can read you what the Government made me do. Would that help you?

Tony Devenish: I have the clip in front of me of what you actually said on GMB on TV, MrMayor, so I think we will let Londoners decide. Please publish the advice on the bailout as soon as possible‑‑

Sadiq Khan: I want to publish it --

Tony Devenish: Can I move on to a second point because I am running out of time? Can you confirm there will be no further slippage on Crossrail’s most recent projected opening dates of summer 2021 to summer 2022, please?

Sadiq Khan: No, I cannot. Crossrail is looking into the implications of COVID-19 on both timescales and finances. What I am happy to do is - because I know this is of huge interest to the Assembly - once I have an answer from the Crossrail Chair and Chief Executive, to write to all Assembly Members so that they are cognisant of where we are. Of course also I will be making public, unlike the Secretary of State for Transport, what the advice from Crossrail is in relation to that issue.

Tony Devenish: Thank you. Coming back to the Congestion Charge, if it was not you who caused it, MrMayor, will you join with me, faith groups and businesses and campaign to stop the extension of the Congestion Charge over weekends? Will you campaign with me if you are against it?

Sadiq Khan: It is easier than that. All you have to do is say to BorisJohnson and
[The Rt Hon] GrantShapps [MP, Secretary of State for Transport], “No, the Mayor cannot widen the scope or increase the charges‑‑”

Tony Devenish: You are the Mayor of London, MrMayor. You have that power. You do not have to go to the Government. You are the Mayor. You can decide that.

Sadiq Khan: Chair, I have to be able to respond. The response is this. Because of the same situation, other bodies across the country are facing acute financial challenges because the fares box has dried up. The Government has to support us like it is supporting others. Everyone else has a grant with no need for a loan and no strings attached. The Government has chosen to give us a grant, plus has required us to take out a loan, plus has attached these strings. You can very easily say to GrantShapps and BorisJohnson, “Do not attach these strings. Do not require the Mayor to immediately reinstate the Congestion Charge. Do not require the Mayor to widen the scope and level of the Congestion Charge”. If I were to say no to the Government, I could not receive the grant or the loan,which would mean that TfL could not provide the bus services we do. It is as simple as that.

Tony Devenish: Sorry, can I come in again with my final point, MrMayor? You will appreciate that public consultation for these kinds of things is hugely important. What public consultation are you going to do to make sure that church groups, business groups and disabled people can rightly have their say about this? This is the thing I am having more in my postbag about than any other issue in the last four years.

Sadiq Khan: The really important thing for all groups is to raise with BorisJohnson and GrantShapps their concern over the next week, please, because these are due to come in pretty early, as the Government told us to do. They are due to come in on 22June [2020], but the more people who lobby the Prime Minister and lobby the Secretary of State to say to us that they will still give us the grant and the support we need without the need to do this, the better.

Tony Devenish: I will leave it there, Chair.

Food insecurity during COVID-19

Joanne McCartney: What support are you providing to support the increasing number of Londoners going hungry during this pandemic, and what further support is needed as we enter the recovery phase?

The Mayor: Sadiq Khan (Mayor of London): Thank you, Chair and thank you for the question. Food banks and food aid charities are doing incredible work getting food to those in need. However, they have seen unprecedented demand and a big fall in contributions. The Trussell Trust saw an 81% increase in demand for emergency food packages in the last two weeks in March compared to last year. Use of independent food aid networks and London food banks increased 68%. I have called on Londoners to donate to food banks and volunteer where they can and when it is safe. I am so proud that Londoners came forward to help. I have asked supermarkets to provide the Food Aid charity with unrestricted online access to obtain food they need. We are also supporting the SCG food sub-group, overseeing setting up community hubs in every London borough, allowing the London Food Alliance to direct food supplies to front-line charities needing them.
Since late March, the London Food Alliance has distributed 1,500tonnes of food to 1,500 organisations. That is around 3.8million meals. In addition, the first round of London Community Response Fund grants supported voluntary and community organisations to buy food and other essentials so they could keep providing vulnerable Londoners with access to food. I will do everything I can to support their work, but demands on the emergency fund and sector are a sign of deep underlying problems that must also be addressed.

Joanne McCartney: Thank you, MrMayor. I was going to ask about whether you would write to the Government regarding extending the voucher scheme for those children entitled to free school meals, but I am very pleased you have indicated that you have already written and asked for that. It is a scandal that children in our city are going hungry. Your office, with London boroughs and community organisations, has really stepped up and supported those food banks and other networks, but what further support is needed to ensure they can offer the support that is needed for the short but also the medium and longer term?

Sadiq Khan: Thanks for the question and all that you do in this area. One of the big issues is those receiving benefits, the delay in getting them, those who applied for Universal Credit. The Government could give cash payments now, not a loan, but cash payments now. A big issue is those who have no recourse to public funds who we know are struggling. Some of the families that Jennette[ArnoldOBEAM] referred to are families who have no recourse to public funds, who are literally going hungry. The Government could change the rules now during this period to allow them to have recourse to welfare benefits and other support they need as well. Another thing that the Government could do is to change the local housing allowance in relation to some of the concerns renters have, who are renting as well.
We know a lot of the voluntary and community sector that usually fundraise - the London Marathon and other things - to pay for services have not been able to do that, so the Government really has to step up and help. They are losing billions of pounds because of the inability to congregate and raise funds via jumble sales, fairs and marathons. If we allow them to go under, that is a big problem, but also they need their staff. They cannot be furloughing their staff, so the furlough scheme needs to be adapted to help them as well. Look, it is really important the Government speeds up the announcement of the £750million so it gets to the coalface as soon as possible.

Joanne McCartney: Thank you. A coalition of charities, including the Child Poverty Action Group, the Children’s Society and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation have called for a temporary coronavirus emergency income support scheme because they, like you, recognise that many people actually do not have savings and are at great risk of defaulting on rent and mortgage payments. Will you support that request and make that request to Government?

Sadiq Khan: I am happy to look at the details. As I say, it sounds like a no-brainer to me. Let me look into that and then publicly show my support for that.

Joanne McCartney: Thank you.

Public Transport Capacity

Keith Prince: How do you intend to increase public transport capacity over the coming weeks and months?

Sadiq Khan: Can I thank the AssemblyMember for his question.
In keeping with Government plans for the national rail service, TfL is working hard to gradually return service levels to as close to 100% of services as possible. Tube services are currently running at between 85% and 90%. I think it was 92% today. Bus services are up to 85%, the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) is at over 80%, and TfL Rail is at full service. This is far higher than any TOC around the country. This has increased from Tube services at around 60% to 65% during rush hour and bus services at 80% at the peak of the crisis. Again, this is way higher than services around the country.
We have restored the Circle line and reopened seven of the 37 stations that were previously closed. Some stations will remain closed temporarily so that staff can be redeployed to help manage busier stations and some stations with lift-only access will remain closed because social distancing is simply not possible.
The main reason we have previously not been able to run more services was due to the significant number of TfL staff who were shielding, sick or self-isolating. At the peak of the crisis, nearly a third of train operators on London Underground were off work. I want to thank our heroic transport staff for all they have done and continue to do to keep transport running in London for essential workers.
We lobbied the Government to enable TfL staff to access the key worker testing scheme, which they were not able to do for a long time. I am actively encouraging eligible staff to do so to help ensure they can come back to work if they are well enough.
However, with social distancing requirements still in place, we will simply not be able to return to carrying the numbers of people who used the public transport network before the crisis. As I have previously set out, people should travel only when absolutely necessary. Those who can work from home must continue to do so. We will have to spend more leisure time in our local area. Many more people will have to walk and cycle, and we are working hard urgently to enable this to happen.

Keith Prince: Eid Mubarak to you, MrMayor and your family,and to all Londoners.

Sadiq Khan: Thank you, Keith.

Keith Prince: MrMayor, it would be helpful if you could give us a target date, if you are able to, on when you think services will return to 100%.

Sadiq Khan: Yes, good question. TfL is part of the Government’s RDG, and we have been working for some weeks with the DfT, again, collegiately and collaboratively. The first phase was to return to 70% by 18May [2020]. We managed to exceed that and I was able to give you the really good news about how we are at about 90% plus on the Tube in the rush-hour, 85% on buses and 100% on TfL Rail. The RDG is asking the TOCs to get to 100% in early June.
Because of the large number of our staff who are shielding, we cannot say that will happen by 1June. More realistic is the middle of June for the simple reason that because of the age profile of our staff, some of whom are older and have underlying health conditions. I cannot say definitively a date, but we are working to go as soon as possible, the sooner the better. More realistic, just to manage your expectations, is the middle of June, but it could happen sooner if we get people back swifter from shielding, self-isolation or sickness.

Keith Prince: It may be back before the Premier League, then, MrMayor?

Sadiq Khan: There has not been an announcement yet, has there? I am not sure. Maybe I missed that.

Keith Prince: On the matter or the issue of capacity, it was RachelMaclean [MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport] who recognised the advantages of social distancing using motorcycles. Also, riding a motorcycle is safer, I would argue, in relation to not getting or exposing yourself to the virus than maybe the Tube, the trains and the buses.
You have said already, MrMayor, that we will not be able to carry the number of people that we already do in relation to our public transport system, and so would you agree that motorcycling would be one of the options? Clearly, we would prefer people to walk and cycle, but that is not a real option for people who live further out in places like my areas of Havering and Redbridge.
There was someone who said - you might know who it was - that motorcycles generate far less pollution, save time and money for the rider, and do not create congestion. I do not know if you know who said that, MrMayor.

Sadiq Khan: He is a wise owl.

Keith Prince: It was of course you.

Sadiq Khan: You raise a good point.

Keith Prince: If I could just finish, then, MrMayor, the ask is really at this moment in time, because of the importance that motorcycles play in getting people around without the risk of getting infected and because of the importance that motorcycles play in keeping London running - you will know that many people who are in lockdown have been relying on the motorcycle deliveries for their food, prescriptions and so on - would you, MrMayor, please exclude motorcycles of any age from the ULEZ charge so that we can get the maximum use of motorcycles at this very important time?

Sadiq Khan: Firstly, thank you for raising this issue. It is an important issue. You will be aware that motorbikes are exempt from the Congestion Charge. The reason they are not exempt from the ULEZ is because that tackles air quality issues and we are keen to keep on top of the air quality issues. I am afraid we are not going to be making motorcycles exempt from the ULEZ, although they will continue to be exempt from the Congestion Charge.
When the Government asks us to widen the scope of the Congestion Charge, when the Government asks us to change the levels of the Congestion Charge, what we are not doing is bringing motorbikes into the Congestion Charge. We could have done that and that would have made the Government very happy because it would raise more money. We have not done that and it is really important to put that on record.
I am more than happy for you to meet with the TfL team to explain some of our thinking around this, but can I just say this; I know you are very well respected in this community. We have seen a large increase in collisions in the last few weeks with motorcyclists. With any influence you have, could you pass on the importance of riding safely, because I am worried about the increase in fatalities and collisions. About 30% of collisions have been motorcyclists. That is far higher than it was during the non-pandemic phase.

Keith Prince: Thank you, MrMayor. I would like to take you up on the offer of meeting. I have some experts who would want to meet with you. Is it possible that they could meet with you?

Sadiq Khan: Absolutely. Chair, why don’t we agree this? I will agree for the TfL team to meet up with Keith and his experts as soon as possible because it wants to be quickly. We will do as soon as possible to make that happen.

Keith Prince: Thank you. Moving on, MrMayor, if I could move on, again, this is around capacity. Could I read to you some of the messages that I am getting from taxi drivers, MrMayor? This is from SteveK, who is in one of my constituencies,
“I am deeply concerned regarding the latest announcements from the Mayor’s Office looking at the possibility of excluding diesel taxis from a number of major streets in the city. Given that less than 30% of the industry is ZEC and because of the current situation pertaining to COVID-19, it is unlikely that purchasing a ZEC vehicle would be financially viable given the current work levels. The same issues would also apply to renting a ZEC.”
He goes on to say that he thinks many drivers will go out of work. Another resident, GaryK, said,
“The latest news is a huge worry for myself and other black cab drivers even though we have one of the only vehicles in London where social distancing can truly be practiced and is fully wheelchair accessible. We have also been badly affected due to COVID-19 and our work at the present time is almost non-existent.”
Finally, from Stephanie, another resident,
“I am a 31-year-old single mother who spent a long time and effort passing the Knowledge of London to enable myself to have flexible hours to look after my one-year-old son. The new proposals which are under review will completely destroy my living, ie the closure of Waterloo and London Bridge to all vehicles except buses and cycles.”
MrMayor, at this time when social distancing is imperative for people’s safety, London taxis have a built-in partition that keep drivers safe and passengers safe. Only London taxis can drop people with mobility impairment outside where they need to go. Even buses cannot do that, MrMayor.
Can you at this time, at least until this issue is over, make sure that taxis can go where buses go, MrMayor?

Sadiq Khan: Firstly, I will make sure that the comments from the taxi drivers are passed on to TfL. That forms part of the engagement we need to have before the changes are made.
Secondly, I have already said in outline to a previous question that we are planning to allow ZEC taxis to have access to those streets where only walkers, cyclists and buses are allowed. It is not our plan at the moment to allow heavily polluting diesel taxis to access those streets.
If there are other comments from other taxi drivers, can I please ask you to let TfL have them? We are keen to hear directly from those who have views on the widening of the scope and level of charges that we are being required to do by the Government.

Keith Prince: Because of the time, I am going to have to leave it there, MrMayor. Thank you.

Exercise Cygnus

Andrew Dismore: What role did you and the GLA family of services play in Exercise Cygnus; and what were the lessons from the exercise; and do you agree that the conclusions and findings of the exercise ought to be made public?

Sadiq Khan: Can I thank the Assembly Member for this important question? The GLA family played a full part in the London element of Exercise Cygnus, which was comprised of two table-top scenario exercises in 2016. Officers from the MPS, London Fire Brigade (LFB), TfL and the London Resilience Group participated. Over two days, 24 actions for London’s pan-flu preparedness were identified and subsequently incorporated into London’s Pandemic Influenza and Excess Deaths Frameworks. The London Resilience Forum fed its findings back into Government. In 2017 the Exercise Cygnus statistics report was published, which identified 22 lessons in total aimed at resilience forums, NHS England, PHE, the Department for Health and other Government departments. I agree the national lessons should be made public and I am happy for the lessons from the London exercise to be shared and for one of my officers to brief you on the implementation.
However, it is important to understand what emergency planners tell me: the incident never respects the plan. The response to an influenza pandemic has a focus on treatment through antiviral drugs and other medicines. Those options are clearly not available in response to COVID-19. The specifics of the response have also changed as the scientific understanding of the disease has improved and as the legislation and Government advice has changed as well.

Andrew Dismore: Thank you for that answer, MrMayor. Would you agree that Exercise Cygnus revealed a whole host of shortcomings with the Government’s response which were not acted on? For example, it found that residential care homes were noted as sites of high risk for virus spread and lethality and that the impact on care homes would be catastrophic unless new measures were put in place. However, no specific guidance for care homes was included in the Government strategy, so untested patients, including those previously suffering from the virus, were bussed from hospitals to care homes without information about the patient being passed on or the provision of the PPE needed. Unbelievably, untested agency workers, often on zero-hours contracts, moved freely within and between different care homes to cover for other staff who were self-isolating. It is the case, is it not, that highly vulnerable people and staff were exposed to infection and indeed many died as a result of the Government’s failings?

Sadiq Khan: Absolutely. It is a scandal. What is clear is how ill-prepared the Government appears to have been, even though we knew the virus was coming and we knew we had weeks to prepare in advance of other countries, who had no time to prepare. One of the reasons why I am keen for there to be an independent public inquiry is to find out what happened to learn the lessons, to make sure before the next pandemic - and it is clear there are going to be other pandemics - those lessons are learned. It is crucial to do so. When you think about the circumstances in which people have died, absent from their loved ones because they could not access them, that is even more heart-breaking.

Andrew Dismore: Exactly. London’s Pandemic Response Strategy was reliant on PPE stocks held by the Government, but 45% of the boxes of PPE held in the national Government stockpile were out of date when the pandemic hit, according to Channel 4 revelations. This included nearly 80% of the stock of respirators. What is the point of local resilience work if the national Government is so slapdash in allowing failings like this?

Sadiq Khan: Quite. The SCG has been doing amazing work and the resilience forums have been doing amazing work, but the problem is they are having to metaphorically firefight without the equipment and it has been a challenge. The way a response works is trust and confidence. You trust that the national Government has put in place the equipment you need to deal with the pandemic, so the new personnel who are there - because personnel change all the time - have confidence in the equipment they were promised. These are the lessons that must be learned. The SCG is doing an amazing job trying to co-ordinate some of the assistance that care homes need, but it has been really hard.

Andrew Dismore: Thank you.

Supporting Small Businesses

Florence Eshalomi MP: How are you supporting small businesses and the self-employed in London, particularly those that have fallen through the cracks when it comes to Government support?

Sadiq Khan: Can I thank the Assembly Member for this question? London’s businesses are the engine of our economy. While I welcome the packages of support from Government for businesses and the self-employed, including the recent extension to the scheme, I am still concerned about the accessibility of funds for London businesses, the possible gaps in support for micro-businesses and thousands of self-employed Londoners. I am also clear that the economic impact of the outbreak and the restrictions brought in to tackle it will be far-reaching and long-lasting. Since the start of the pandemic, I have been determined to do all I can to support the economy.
That is why we have launched the Pay It Forward London scheme, through which over 2,740 members of the public have already contributed over £160,000 to support 147 local businesses through the crisis. We are adding extra capacity to the London Growth Hub. Already over 700 businesses have benefited from the one-to-one advisory sessions since the crisis began. We are giving 100% rent relief for three months to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) on TfL’s estates, committing to invest a further £1million in additional business support activity through the London Growth Hub over the next 12months, including helping to adapt and diversify an SME’s business model or adopt new technologies to train more effectively online. We have also launched a £2.3million Culture at Risk Business Support Fund to help multiple venues and artists across the capital.
These industries are so important to the fabric of our city and play a key role in helping us to recover. My team is urgently looking at funding options for those businesses that fall between the cracks of the Government support measures. I have written to the Chancellor [The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP] and the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy [The Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP] to highlight the gaps in their measures that are leaving thousands of London businesses without access to support.

Florence Eshalomi AM MP: Thank you, MrMayor, and good afternoon to you, and Ramadan Mubarak to you and your family. Thank you for that reply. I think what we have seen is that there has been that Government support, but like you rightly said, a number of businesses have fallen through the cracks and they do not qualify for anything. We have really good sectors across my constituency and in London of tourism, hospitality and a night-time economy which has seen that lockdown in place for much longer. Will you urge the Government to look at continuing that business support for as long as it can? If it means introducing a sectoral approach and a job retention scheme, for example, is there much more we can be doing to help those businesses?

Sadiq Khan: Absolutely. Can I say, Chair, the Assembly Memberis absolutely right about this sectoral approach response? Look, there are some sectors that can actually come out of lockdown quicker, construction being a good example, agriculture being a good example. There are others that simply cannot: hospitality, culture, creative industries and some of retail. The Government has to realise we do not want to inadvertently be giving people an incentive to get back out there to allow the virus to spread prematurely because they are worried about their business going bust. We are going to lobby the Government to do some more.
I was pleased by the announcement yesterday from the Secretary of State, from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), [The Rt Hon] OliverDowden [CBE MP], about a group he set up, a taskforce to look at culture and creative industries. We need support from the Government because one of the jewels in our crown is our culture and creative industries. One out of six jobs in this area is vulnerable, and many of their businesses will go bust and they will not be able to come back. We need to give them the support; a helping hand rather than a handout is the way I see it.

Florence Eshalomi AM MP: Great. Just finally, MrMayor, is there more that you could be doing in promoting that London cultural heartbeat? Obviously I have an interest in terms of the South Bank in my constituency, but there is a potential collapse of the theatre and culture industry, where they are unique because they need 65% capacity to break even, and even with the conditions imposed they can probably only run on 15% capacity. That will not work for a number of those key organisations which are the heartbeat of providing culture, not just to Londoners but young Londoners, diverse Londoners. We need them up and running again.

Sadiq Khan: Absolutely. We have to give them hope. We have to give people hope. You mentioned the South Bank. Even the South Bank, which is big, is struggling, but the smaller theatres and the smaller cultural venues are really struggling. One of the things that I talked about in my answer was the £2.3million assistance to the culture at risk venues, the support we are giving. JustineSimons, as the Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, is doing a huge amount of work in this area with RajeshAgrawal, the Deputy Mayor for Business, but any ideas that you have we are really happy to be receptive of.
Actually, you are in Parliament, along with GarethBacon [AM MP]. You can be raising these issues, bearing in mind you wear a hat as Members of the Assembly as well as being MPs who can lobby the Government, from whom we need real support.

Florence Eshalomi AM MP: Thank you. I will leave it there, Chair.

Global Cities’ response to coronavirus

Nicky Gavron: You have been working with the C40 group of global cities on their Global Recovery Taskforce, to share strategies and ideas about how we can deal with and recover from the coronavirus crisis. Could you tell us what kind of issues have been discussed, and where are there areas in which London can learn from others?

Sadiq Khan: Thank you, Chair, and thanks to Assembly MemberGavron for her question. Throughout this crisis I have been in touch with other mayors around the world to offer my solidarity, to share ideas and to discuss best practice, including the C40 group of global cities.
What is clear for all of us is that COVID-19 has exposed the inequalities which fail people from deprived communities more than anyone else. We must come out of this embracing a new normal and with a renewed drive to address the climate emergency. The conversations I have had with other C40 mayors have shown that there is a united ambition to ensure that any recovery for the cities not only addresses inequalities and drives economic activity, but also delivers ambitious climate action to meet the goals of the Paris agreement. I have already endorsed, alongside 40 other mayors, the C40 principles for a green recovery and I look forward to seeing how this can inform the work we will do in London. To ensure other cities can learn from our work to build a greener and cleaner city here in London, we have been sharing information about some of our key initiatives, such as the launch of my new Streetspace plan.

Nicky Gavron: Thank you, MrMayor. I first want to just thank you for your unwavering leadership during this crisis on so many fronts. I know your leadership of C40 as Vice-Chair is widely recognised and your leadership with other cities.
All over the world now, cities are making unparalleled changes. The most obvious one is to the streetscape, where I think London is now a world leader. These changes could have long-term benefits, mental health and physical benefits for citizens and to the quality of life of our city and many other cities. Do you think there is an appetite for national governments, local governments working with city leaders and of course across the world and here at home, to make sure that these changes are not just for the pandemic but enduring and forever?

Sadiq Khan: I think this is such an important question. We have heard over the last three hours CarolinePidgeon [MBEAM], CarolineRussell [AM], SiânBerry [AM] and many of us in favour of some of the things we are doing, a cross-party coalition, a ‘coalition of the willing’ trying to use this awful, awful virus as an opportunity to change our landscape street scene, to encourage walking and cycling, to make it easier and safer. This coalition has to stay together because there are some people who are in favour of a car-led recovery; there are some people who want us to minimise the transformation we want to do. We need to work together to do so.
The good news - I am not breaching confidences - is that in the conversations I have had with the Prime Minister, I think he gets this. He is somebody who enjoys cycling; he believes in active travel. My concern is that politics - capital P - gets in the way of this stuff.
The briefing against me from the DfT and No 10 was outrageous after the deal was done, which makes it difficult to work collegiately with national Government to do it. This is good for all of us, and so what I say to those type of politicians, some of whom are on this virtual meeting, some of whom are in No 10, those special advisers and others, is just stop it. Stop it, to allow us to work with national Government, with Assembly Members, cross-party, to transform our city so it is greener, more sustainable, better and permanent.

Nicky Gavron: I think the Assembly will do all it can to help you on that.
I just also wanted to ask you about something else, which is that many other cities across the world have more powers, more resources and, significantly, more devolved authority than you have. Even now, Government is undermining yours and taking over, to a certain extent, TfL. Other cities I think will be able to be more flexible and agile because they have these powers. What increased powers would help you to help Londoners to get back to work, to find jobs and to make the London economic recovery a climate recovery?

Sadiq Khan: When I speak to mayors across Europe, not just France and Spain and Italy and Germany, across North America or South America or the far east, I am jealous of the powers the mayors have compared to the powers that I have. We are the most centralised democracy in the Western world. What compounds my grievance with the Government is rather than it walking the walk in relation to devolving more powers to us, it used the opportunity of the financial pressures of TfL to take powers away from us: the power to decide what the fares are going to be; the power to decide what happens with the Congestion Charge; the powers about what happens with under-18 school buses; the power of what happens to over-60s and so on. Look, it is really important the Government realises that we need more powers, not less; more resources, not less; powers over issues in relation to housing; powers in relation to what happens in the business community; powers in relation to property taxes; powers in relation to land value capture; powers in relation to making sure we have the powers and resources to have transition to a carbon-free city.
You will be aware - I have expressed my frustration on previous occasions - I want to go zero carbon by 2030, but I only have powers over less than half of the things I need to get to zero carbon. The other half is contingent upon the Government doing those things and that is why it is really important. If we are going to have a green recovery and it is meaningful, the Government has to devolve us much more than it currently has and also not revert to type, which is taking stuff away when things get uncomfortable.

Nicky Gavron: Thank you. I will leave it there.

GLA Budget

Susan Hall: The Deputy Mayor for Resilience told the Oversight Committee on 7 May 2020 that the coronavirus pandemic is (understandably) having a “massive impact on finances” across the whole GLA family. What direction have you given in terms of identifying existing budget areas for protection or funding streams for prioritisation?

Sadiq Khan: Can I thank Assembly Member Hall for her question.
COVID-19 is having a massive impact on finances across the GLA Group. In addition to the impact on TfL’s finances that we have discussed separately - from additional PPE for firefighters to providing hotel accommodation for rough sleepers, supporting the wider response and the necessary temporary closure of construction sites - there has been a significant impact on all organisations. We know that some planned events and activities will not be possible while social distancing requirements are in force. New expenditure will be required to support Londoners as our economy and society recover from the virus’s impact.
Work is currently under way to understand these impacts and to forecast the loss of business rate and council tax income that may arise. This is dependent on information from borough treasurers, and officers are working closely with them to obtain as accurate a picture as we can at this early stage.
I have instructed the Executive Director of Resources to bring forward the preparation of my budget guidance in order that I can publish it in early June. This will set out our best understanding of the situation and the approach to be adopted. Until this work is complete, I am not in a position to take decisions regarding areas to be protected or prioritised.
What I can say is that I met very recently - last week - virtually with GLA Group Chief Officers, and we agreed to take forward at pace opportunities that have been identified to further improve our effectiveness and efficiency through more collaboration. I am determined to do what I can to protect the services which Londoners rely upon.

Susan Hall: Thank you, Mr Mayor, for that. I accept that you cannot give us an absolute, but I am trying to get a flavour of the sorts of areas you might think of having to make savings, because obviously the savings will have massive implications, but equally, financial recovery in London is vital. Can you give us a flavour of where you are looking to make savings in the GLA budget specifically?

Sadiq Khan: Obviously, the key thing is to make sure we can help with the recovery. One of the things I will be doing shortly is leading the recovery in London. Clearly, those of our services that will help in the recovery would be prioritised. Those services that are public events which may not be able to happen are clearly services we can make savings on and announce pretty quickly that they are not going to happen, and we can make savings.
I will give you one example. You may have seen recently the announcement of the [Notting Hill] carnival being postponed this year. That was a huge saving to us because we support the carnival financially with stewarding, etc. There are other examples like that where there will be savings going forward. Once the budget guidance has been produced, I will be able to give you - I know, in your role as the Chairman of the Budget and Performance Committee, you will be needing this - more of the flavour of the sorts of changes we are talking about.

Navin Shah: Assembly Member Hall, is that it?

Susan Hall: Sorry. My screen froze completely so I missed the last part of that. Thank you for what you said, Mr Mayor, although I did not get the benefit of the end part of it.
Can I ask you, then, as this is so critical to London, will you be prepared to come to the next Budget and Performance Committee meeting and answer far more in-depth questions on what we are going to be doing in the budget because it is very, very urgent?

Sadiq Khan: I am always happy to come to the Committee, so I am sure we can organise that.

Susan Hall: Mr Mayor, you are not. This is the trouble. We have been trying to get you for a couple of months to come to this. You have been very much a missing Mayor so far as we are concerned. We do want to be asking you questions. You are the Mayor. If I can take that as a commitment to come, we will‑‑

Sadiq Khan: Hold on. Can I just stop you? I am not the guy that hides in a fridge. I have been happy to answer questions from the Assembly whenever the Assembly wants me to do so. I am more than happy to do this meeting virtually, and I am more than happy to go to the Budget and Performance Committee. No other Mayor has opened themselves up to the scrutiny that I have, and I will continue to do so, Chair.

Susan Hall: Mr Mayor, that is absolute rubbish. You are quite happy to go on radio shows with JamesO’Brien, etc., write all sorts of things for leaflets, pamphlets and goodness knows what else, but we have been asking you to have this meeting for at least a couple of months. At last we are there, but I do hope you will come to the Budget and Performance Committee where we can ask you specifically what you are going to do with the finances. Thank you, Chair.